[Commentary] The need for Legislative Impact Assessments in India
“What is the purpose of law in society?” Jurists have long debated this issue. However, at a minimum, one might argue that laws serve multiple societal purposes. These include its…
Your environment this week: nanodiamonds from pollutants, sustainable fashion and khesari dal debate
This week’s environment and conservation news stories rolled into one. To receive a weekly email with a roundup of our stories, please sign-up to our newsletter. Toxic debate rages on over…
NDA 2.0: What it means for India’s environment?
With the renewed mandate that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government has received, there is a likelihood of it continuing its environmental policies, focusing on the ease of business and…
No country for regulation – of genetically engineered crops
India’s seed market hides a sea of illegality, which keeps rearing its ugly head every once in a while. The discovery of genetically modified (GM) brinjal in a Haryana farmer’s…
[Commentary] Biodiversity heritage sites could turn out to be a lifeline for India’s conservation efforts
There are many varied spaces -- sacred groves, industrial complexes, national level institutes, village commons, universities, defence lands, temple premises, urban parks -- that have one thread in common. They…
Amid elections, government proposes overhaul of environment clearance rules
In April, as India was busy in the 2019 parliamentary elections, the central government moved to “re-engineer” the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification 2006, which governs environment clearance for industrial…
[Commentary] Nearly a decade old, is the National Green Tribunal losing its bite?
The genesis of the National Green Tribunal (NGT, for short) is itself what makes it different from the other Tribunals in the country. It was established under the weight of…
Emissions in Indo Gangetic Plain linked to nearly half of untimely deaths due to outdoor air pollution
Toxic air does not know borders. A simulation study has gauged that 80 percent of the total untimely deaths in India due to outdoor air pollution is caused by emissions…
Sundarban Reserve Forest now a Wetland of International Importance
The Sundarban Reserve Forest (SRF) in India, located within the largest mangrove forest in the world, the Sundarbans, is now a Wetland of International Importance, making it the largest protected…
Social media users as ‘environmental sensors’ to conserve Kerala’s wetlands
Ever thought your vacation photos could help decision-makers conserve nature and further enrich your travel? An Indo-Israeli joint study has sniffed out geotagged photo data from popular image hosting service…
